Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) 100mg

Urinary Analgesic

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Pentosan polysulphate sodium is a low molecular weight heparin-like compound.  It has an anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effect.  It is used to treat interstitial cystitis and it is believed to bind to the bladder wall mucosa and act as a buffer to protect tissues from irritating substances in the urine.  Pentosan polysulphate sodium has reportedly been used by medical doctors for knee and bone pain and recently demonstrated in a clinical trial to control and prevent joint pain by controlling bone marrow lesions in the joint cavity.

It is officially indicated for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort from Interstitial cystitis.  It is sometimes used off-label for joint pain/osteoarthritis in sports medicine.

Use with caution in patients with signs or symptoms of underlying coagulopathies or increased risk of bleeding (i.e. receiving blood thinners, thrombolytics, NSAIDs or high dose aspirin)

Interstitial cystitis

Oral: Take 100mg three times daily

Note: Patients should be re-evaluated after 3 months.  The risks and benefits of continued use beyond 6 months in patients who have not responded is not known.

How Do You Take Elmiron/Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium: Take with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. 

Use Elmiron/Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium with Caution in Pregnant Women:  No adverse events have been seen in animal reproduction studies; however, reversible limb bud abnormalities were observed in vitro animal studies.

What Does Off-Label Mean:  Off-label means the medication is being used in manner not indicated in the Health Canada and/or FDA approved packaging label or insert.  Every prescription drug marketed in both Canada and the United States carries an individual approved label.  This label is written in such a manner to provided detailed instructions regarding the approved indications, dosage and other related prescribing and patient information, which are based on the results of clinical studies that the drug maker submits to the a drug approval regulatory body such as the FDA and/or Health Canada.  Anytime a drug is prescribed outside of the recommendations of the clinical trail, caution must be exercised.

The following side effects have been reported:

1% to 10%:

Central Nervous System: Headache (3%), dizziness (1%)

Dermatologic: Alopecia (4%), skin rash (3%)

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (4%), nausea (4%), abdominal pain (2%), dyspepsia (2%)

Hematologic & Oncologic: Rectal hemorrhage (6%)

Hepatic: Abnormal hepatic function tests (1%; dose-related)